Mike Santorelli Signs Contract in Switzerland: Report

Free agent forward Mike Santorelli has inked a contract with Geneve-Servette HC of Switzerland’s NLA, according to reports.

Santorelli, 30, just completed his ninth professional season, tallying 18 points in 70 games with the Ducks. He has skated in 406 NHL games since the 2008-09 season, splitting time with the Nashville Predators, Florida Panthers, Winnipeg Jets, Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs and Anaheim Ducks.

The speedy forward was drafted by the Predators with the 178th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft and broke into the professional ranks with the organization after playing three seasons with Northern Michigan University of the NCAA.

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After a down season with the Ducks, Mike Santorelli wasn’t a highly touted free agent this summer. He is five seasons removed from his career-high 20-goal and 21-assist season with the Panthers back in 2010-11.

With the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft looming, free agency has been trickier than normal for both players and teams. Santorelli still has the talent of an NHL player, so it will be interesting to see if he, and other players who have signed in Europe this offseason, plays overseas long term or eventually returns to the North American game once the expansion draft passes.